Fairune

After craving some sort of adventure game I stumbled upon this little game, Fairune. Everyone said it was akin to Ys, and as I've already stated I liked Ys. Began playing and I see why you could make that comparision... although I find that comparison very loose. Anyway, your this princess that search the land for three artifacts to open the door to the dark evil that plagues the land. To do this you must go out fighting the enemies of the earth to grow stronger and solve puzzles from the pits of the earth to the sky above and some other dimension in between. Fighting mostly consist of running into monster, like Ys, but it's hardly the same. There is no strategy whatsoever, attack from the front, they die and you receive one damage (if your levels high enough), attack from the side same result, the back the same. Really, battle is just grind till right level by fighting equal or just below your level enemies till they don't hurt you and you just squash them. In Ys you at least had to attack from different directions to not get to much hurt. Other compares it more to a game called Hydlide and I can see that, three items to enter the final dungeon, same level up system and such. I can't say more since I've never played the game.

So is it fun? Well, yeah, I had some fun most of the time. Figuring out some of the puzzle was fun, like stumbling upon a picture and realizing how to open a portal to another dimension. Then again, sometimes it had me stuck and felt rather annoying. Really, you can't cut down an old tree with a hatchet? You really need the ax? Also, the final boss is rather fun and challangeing, you can't even cheat. It turns to a shoot'em'up and that is kinda fun, but it should probably been shown before since it was no explanation for the controls so for someone playing that kinda game for the first time you will probably struggle to get it. Especially jarring since it's the first time in the game that you actually have an attack that register.

Small time fun, and apparently are getting a sequel so that could be fun. I think I got it in a sale so then it was worth it, but for others maybe not.

Mighty Switch Force 1+2

  

So during the 25 year anniversary of  WayForward (the company behind Skylanders and Shantae) they had a sale on these games and since they were fairly cheap I picked them up (the strange thing might have been getting them on both the 3DS and Wii U) and they were rather fun puzzle platformers. First game you play this police officer apprehending these five criminal sisters, in the second you are instead a fire... woman protecting the city from spontaneous fire while saving the reformed sisters again. Rather addicting. First one is a bit easier, but not much re-playability after mastering the time trails on each level. The second game gave you also an objective in finding a baby in each stage... and proceed to kick it to safety. Also the difficulty is increased with your weapon is changed from a buster to a water hose (a la Mario Sunshine). Both game have great music, looks great and have that WayForward look to it. Level 16 is the last level and it really test your skills, a bit unfair, but beating them feels so satisfying. The thing is that before you have control of the environment with your flashing helmet, but this level it blinks red three times than the environment changes, meaning you need to time every move to reach the end and the one and only boss. Now the sale is over and gameplay contra price might not be worth it, but try it for a challenge.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

 

 Got my hands on the sequel for the DS and I gotta say, it's probably the most knitted story of the Ace Attorney series I've played (with exception for the Professor Layton Crossover). Each case ties together to form a rather interesting narrative, better yet, they even reference the extra case of the first game in the Ace attorney trilogy with two characters returning from that one. First, and most obvious is Ema Skye that is this games investigating detective that was your assistant in that previous case. The second one is the police assistant that makes a brief cameo in this game. At least we tied all games together. Things that changed up is that Phoenix Wright isn't the main character in this game, actually he's the defendant in the very first case, which hardly is a spoiler. It takes place 7 years after the trilogy and almost right after the trilogy Phoenix Wright was stripped of his Attorney badge for presenting fabricated evidence in a trail. So the suit is gone and instead we have Phoenix Wrigt the bum. And he's gotten a daughter as well. The magician girl Tracy. So who is this new defence attorney? Apollo Justice... or Polly as Tracy calls him. Dressed in red... I get it, red and blue, the constant poles of Japanese visual media.

Also, on the opposite side of the courtroom we have... sadly no Miles Edgeworth, but a rather care-free rock star prosecutor named Klavier Gavin. Strangely also educated in Germany, but he got the German accent. And as someone else said, you really can't hate him. He doesn't have the flaws of Edgeworth or Von Karma that would try to win at every chance (so much that they were rumored to use fabricated evidence) while Gavin appears to be all around nice guy that just want the truth. So right of the bat you don't have the competitive nature of the previous prosecutors (Godot clearly had a grudge against you and you could feel it how he tried to insult you at every turn), but here I don't feel it... which makes it weirder due to the story since it lends itself perfectly for such a clash, but they don't go there. So it's a bit of a disappointment compared to the trilogy. Apollo himself... feels rather alright. He has the snark that Phoenix had, but for some reason he gets more in trouble which makes him more of a clown and yet he feels more professional then Phoenix. Especially in the second case. Theirs a certain crime there that just makes for perfect delivery when you carry around the evidence and present it in court. The absurdness of the evidence coupled with the squirms of Apollo makes for a great chuckle. Sadly the defendant in that case is rather annoying.

Really, it's hard to care for some of them. Only the first and last defendant you want to protect and the first is Phoenix Wright that you know from earlier games while the last is the longest case were you build up an understanding for the defendant and feels sorry for her. The second one is rather annoying and the third one you don't hardly talk to so you can't get a real understanding of him. Also, there's not like in the old games when Maya Fey was in trouble in every game or Phoenix Wright himself or his friends got put on trail. There is something similar happening, but not really. All this makes it less personal for Apollo (even defending Phoenix Wright since it comes out of nowhere and it's only due to the player knowing who he is that it feels personal, nothing is conveyed from Apollo, just that it is his job). The game has interesting story twists, but those mostly doesn't affect Apollo directly so Apollo feels a bit disconnected from the story. May have something to do with executive meddling to push Phoenix into the story. So a bit flawed, but still some fun for one play-through, not as memorable.

Professor Layton Vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

 

Since playing the Ace Attorney Trilogy I was hooked so I had to get this game just to see Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey again. It was fun. Created by Capcom and Level 5 it mashed both series really well. With some exception. The stile of Professor Layton clashed with Phoenix Wright more "realistic stile" that also was adopted for the cast unique for this game. And then voice acting, a bit trouble with Phoenix voice, Maya not so much and the other no problem. Also, the 3D models feels a bit slow during certain scenes compared to the 2D court room reactions that went fast. Really need a job if I'm gonna get all 10 Professor Layton games. Damn crossovers. This is how they get you.

The good things is these really nice animated cut-scenes that pop up from time to time. Probably made by Level 5, the same studio that worked with Studio Ghibli on Ni No Kuni.and it shows in the animation style. What really makes this cross-over work is that it merges two different game stiles, one puzzle and the other more or less a logic puzzle visual novel (so maybe not that different). The thing is that they compliment each other. The court room puzzles is just trying to breach the witness testimonies while the puzzle is fun distractions that spice up the game play (I presume it's the other way round if you came from the Professor Layton camp first).

The story then, Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey are in London for a Exchange program while Professor Layton and Luke gets dragged into a mysterious car accident by their friend Carmine Accidenti.... Really? That's what they went with? Well alright, that humor is not below me. Somehow they cross paths while they get dragged into a magic book and transported into a medieval town and it's your job to unlock the mysteries of the town and protect the innocents from the fires of the witches court. Get's real intense. Really, the ones you protect you really fight for because you know they will get dropped into the fires of hell directly if they loses. Sadly the witnesses gets on my nerves. Really, in the Phoenix Wright games some witnesses just got on your nerves, while others accidentally stood in your way as they misremember or are tricked by some illusion. In this game though they change it up by having multiple witnesses egging each other on and everyone adjusting their testimonies to get your client sent to the fires. Credit to the game for emulating probably the right feel of a witch trial were they egged each other on for a guilty verdict, but man, it makes me despise the witnesses. 

So, question, did I "cheat" on this game by looking up the answer? Yes... and No. Technically No since the game provides a hint function by using hint coins you find hidden on the different sets. You can use these both in court and during the puzzles making some sections so much easier. For example a moving tile puzzle where each move changes the floor and you need to get all tiles on the same side or the court room picture puzzle to point out contradictions, I hate those segments in the other games. Of course, if you are willing to use them you can get around the game in 23 hours, but you can also play it hardcore, no hint coins, no penalties and no loss of puzzle points (or whatever it was called). If it get you anything I don't know. Still, fun game with an interesting story and the voice acting works fine together with fantastic cut-scenes. Also, really fun if you played the Ace Attorney trilogy with the references like "17 cups of tea" or the end objection line. Hell, even Edgeworth makes a voiced cameo once or twice in the game. Hope they make a sequel.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D

 

So the first game I played on the New N3DS is Majora's Mask 3D. Played the original back in 2000 and as with all the other 3D Zelda games it took me until after 2006 to complete it. With guide and everything. Now it just took me 3 days... Yes, 3 separate gaming days. Story is simple, you're Link, fresh from your adventure in Ocarina of Time you stumble upon the Skull kid with a mysterious mask that steal (or is it kidnaps?) Epona and your ocarina and then transform you into a Deku scrub. You end up in Termina that in 72 hours will be destroyed by the moon as it comes crashing down and it is your job to save this world. This is a dark game. The music especially makes you feel on edge, sure the town music is upbeat and happy the first two days, but the third day with the rumbling and creepy underscore don't make you that happy and when nightfall comes and you are past midnight the whole thing erupts into something like hopelessness as the people left in the city just waits their destruction, either standing guard or hiding away. Doesn't help that the background story is that of the Skull kid who lost his friends, stole this mask and *spoilers* gets manipulated by it to destroy the world. So you set out to the four temples and saves as many people you can and rescue the four giants so that they can stop the moon. Rather simple really.

Changes then since this is a remake. Nicer graphics, some changes when it comes to gameplay and design choices in the layout of the world and dungeons to solve puzzles. Gameplay changes are like falling in a bottomless pit doesn't hurt you, the owl statues save permanently and the Zora fast swim must use magic to power it causing rather irritating moments if it runs out. Chateau Romani milk more important than ever. Dungeon layout have stray fairies moved in some cases, one particular irritating room in the Stone Tower Temple has been made easier since they give you a ledge to climb out of the water instead of the dolphin swim jump you needed to do (still need it for a switch though, but still). The bean seller under the Deku palace has an extra exit so you can get some spring water if you forget (if I ever replay it I need to see if I can bypass the Metal Gear sneaking segment to get there). Most of these changes I can see why they made since if I hadn't played this game before with a guide I think it wouldn't have finished it. Also they apparently changed the speed so the 72 hours are shorter than the original, but Link on the other hand is faster making it balancing out. Although I was unable to finish my super mega final run by doing as many side quest as possible, defeating all bosses and collect all fairies before taking on Majora. Could also be for me not planning ahead like last time. 

Why wasn't I able to finish it if we go with the first route? First of they changed the boss battles. All bosses have new moves and patterns that you need to be aware of  and it makes the boss fights go on for longer and they all have an eye weak point you need to bring forth before killing them. Example the first boss usually took a couple of hits with the fully upgraded sword, still does, but you need to wait until he doesn't block you. The second boss is the bull run. In the original you just slammed into him and hoped he would fall so you could grind the spikes into his behind. Here you need to stop and fires fire arrows on him and such. The fourth was usually just grab the giant mask and slash with your sword until Twinmold was killed, here you need to take down the blue one with arrows first and then use the giants mask to brawl with it. I don't say that fight isn't much more awesome, but it drags on a bit to long on the final act. All these changes keeps me occupied to long so the fairy hunt is off. I get why, since it wasn't much to the fights in the original, here they really keeps you on your toes. Now that I think about it, the one that feels easier is the third one which incidentally was the hardest one in the original. how about that.

Is there something else new about this? Yes, one new side quest for a 7th bottle which uses the Gorman mask so it is actually useful for something. In the original it was just there to make the milk run from Romani ranch easier, but you needed to do the run before getting the Gorman mask and replaying it always felt better without the Gorman mask:

Yes, much better. Also they have added two fishing ponds. I didn't play anyone since it doesn't give anything like mask or heart pieces and such, but now that the game is over might be worth a shot.

So, besides the changes in bosses that screw out my winning strategy (and I must try if Fierce Deity Mask can solve that problem) is there changes I don't like? The Moon dungeons. God, the moon dungeons. The Twinmold and Oldowa dungeon fine since the mechanics haven't been changed and they haven't been redesigned, but Gyorgs dungeon, my f***ing god. Rather simple maze game in the original, swim left or right to get to the heart piece and child. Easy, trail and error (or using a guide map). Here it becomes a timed event where you need to know where to go and before the time runs out perform a dolphin jump to reach a ledge before the gate you raised at the beginning closes on you. if you miss you goes below the gate and are transported back to the beginning and has to redo it... again... and again... until you make it. Hated it. And here you need the Zora speed attack so hope you drank that Chateau Romani milk since you need it. Then Goths stage. Already the worst stage in the original made worse since the camera is bugging out on me. Tip is that before you start the run, press L to center the camera so it follows you when you bounce of the chest otherwise it's rather impossible. Glad thing you don't take damage this time around so can't fail. Also, talking about failing, it's rather impossible to mess up in this game due to the revamped saving mechanic. Take for example the 3-day challenges you need to fix an event that changes everyday for heart pieces. What you do is that every morning save and go play those game until you fix it or if times run out, restart the game. Yes, probably less aggravating, but still... then again, I'm the one that abuses save states like hell so I shouldn't probably complain.

All in all it's a rather good game, the changes are for the better and it really has made it more fun... for the most part.

New Nintendo 3DS

 

So I got myself the New Nintendo 3DS, how could I say no? Well, mostly I got it due to my original 3DS lacking memory and I thought that upgrading was a decent solution. A bit pricey, but what the hell! Got the regular size black version since I prefer my portable system to fit in my pocket. It even fitted into the old 3DS protective case (even though it might need a little added force behind it). The old model I gave away to my dad with my copy of Ocarina of Time 3D to keep him busy... sadly it appears it's me that are busy trying to teach him the controls. Anyway, back to the new one. I didn't get any face plates, because I like the black one. A good thing is that it isn't... shiny? Whatever the word it doesn't collect my fingerprints all over the surface like the old model or even the Wii U. Already a plus. 

Then the changes to the layout on the console. First of the console itself is a bit bigger with a larger screen. Start and select moved to the side of the screen below the buttons and given real buttons compared to the old model where I hardly got feedback by pressing it making pausing some games rather hard. The home button has been redesigned and the volume slide has been moved to the top screen. Both the volume and 3D slide have been given a stop setting so if you want to mute or turn the 3D of just slide it to the bottom and you hear a click and that's it. The old version could be a bit fickle when it comes to the 3D as I had to push it down to turn it off even at the bottom since it didn't quite now if it was off or slightly on. The ABXY buttons are color coded as the SNES controller and you got extra L and R buttons on the back. They also introduced the C-stick... or rather C-bump. At first it feels rather incomprehensible since it actually don't move or give any feedback, but while playing games it work rather well, surprised me. Things they taken away are the wifi-slider and you access it through the menu instead. Probably better so you don't turn it of by accident in a multiplayer match. The only thing I think they made worse is the stylus. I liked the metal retractable pen, but instead we are back to plastic which is smaller, but take more space on the console itself since it can't retract. Also the cartridge slot has been moved from the top to the bottom. Feels rather weird, but I haven't pushed out a game by accident yet so it works. Presumably it was to put ZR and ZL on top instead. The on/off button have been moved as well and at the same time making it harder to randomly push it, but at the same time needs a longer push to start up.

The interior then. It starts up faster, the wifi is stronger and you have a 3D tracking camera that follows you around while moving the console during gameplay. Works rather fine, but I noticed that you need to keep the game at the right distance from your face otherwise it doesn't quite get how to adjust your 3D experience for you. The transfer seemed to be a hassle since they recommended a PC-transfer, but I opted for the wireless and it worked fine (of course I removed most of the games on my 2GB SD card so it would go faster and had to re-download everything again). Also, I switched out the 4GB Micro SD card with a 32 GB since I feel the extra memory would work better (hopefully they don't change from Micro SD to another sort of memory card for the next 1-2 generations so I don't have to transfer everything again like this). All in all it took around 6 hours to complete the transfer and re-download all games (it might have gone faster if I let it transfer everything from the system, but I wasn't sure if it was locally transferred or over the net and the net is rather unstable around here so, and the answer is it does it locally so that was totally unnecessary, but hey, better safe than sorry. I haven't played it all that much, but the Ambassador GBA games seems to work better than in the old 3DS since it hasn't shut down or turned it self of during intense play. A bit annoying especially if you didn't quit the game from time to time since a shut down erased everything until the previous point you started it up, but as I said, I haven't played those games to long on the New 3DS.

Sadly, there will probably be an announcement in 1-2 years of a brand new Nintendo portable console, but until then it will work rather fine. A warning first though, if you are gonna transfer from an old 3DS, 2DS or 3DS XL don't write in your NNID until you do the transfer. Lastly, the console doesn't come with a charger so you either have to have one or buy a new one, which is rather stingy on Nintendo's side, but if they want to keep the cost down that is one way to do it. Also, the name. At least it works in Sweden and all non-English speaking countries and I get that it works well with the Japanese, but really, couldn't the English name have been Super Nintendo 3DS? Really, it would have been an easy sell with the button color scheme and such. Makes me wonder what they will call the next system? Maybe that will be the Super N3DS? Anyway, beyond that there isn't much to say, it play DS and 3DS games. I might update this (probably not) when they release exclusive games like Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (at the moment the only known game that must have the New 3DS to play) to see if the hardware handles it well, Then again, since I'm not the technical wizard my parents believe me to be I will not know if it was necessary or not to release that game on this updated console.

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

The sequel has arrived on the Wii U virtual console and I finished it in 3-4 days. It took me like a year the first time. And that was just to get the middle ending. Anyway, this game didn't mash with me when it was out. I thought the music was awful, the colorful graphics missed out on the spooky dreaded feeling and so on. Basically, it wasn't Circle of the Moon. Playing again though, I find it rather enjoying. Probably cause they fixed the gameplay problems I had with the first game. I have a monster encyclopedia making it easier keeping tracks on where to farm for stuff and such if need be. The magic is a bit simplified and is tied to your sub-weapon so depending on which weapon you have and which magic book you have equipped it causes different attacks and such. The complexity of the original is missed, but here you can easily discover what each combo does. Another great thing that held the magic system back in the former game was that you could only equip one magic ability and when you have to choose between poison or curse resistance it takes away some of the fun. Here they solved it by finding certain relics that gave you the permanent effect, rewarding discovering them. Also, they have stores all around the castle giving you much relief if you, like me, suck at the game and need some extra potion. Also, I apparently misremember the amount you could carry, since I could buy 99 of the things on sale. Great!

The story then. You play as Juste Belmont who meet his best friend Maxim that have been away for a while, telling you that Dracula's Castle has returned and your girlfriend (?) Lydia has been kidnapped so you set out looking for her while searching for the evil in this castle. The spoiler here is that it is actually 2 castles and Maxim, due to exposure to Dracula's remains, have a split personality. The evil one being possessed by Dracula kidnapped Lydia and prepares a resurrection. To stop this (and get the best ending) you need to gather Dracula's five remains and his ring. Then take everything to Castle B, equip Maxim and Juste's bracelets and defeat evil Maxim so that he can expel Dracula's evil spirit and being reanimated by his remains and then you put him to rest... again. Really, Castlevania is worse than Legend of Zelda with Ganon being the final boss. Castlevania always ends with Dracula as the final boss (well, maybe with exception of Lords of Shadow since, well, spoiler, you become Dracula). Had I played Castlevania II: Simon's Quest I might have appreciated the nods to that game at the time... or even played Symphony of the Night with the two castle system.

So all in all, I liked the game. It was more fun than I remember (or maybe forgot how fun it was). The music while definitely lowered quality had some nice tunes (not as good as the previous game, but anyway). The castle itself looked amazing and the psychedelic backgrounds was amazing to look at and that you could use the environment to solve certain puzzles was really fun. You have the guardian you push into a meat grinder, the pinball machine and so on. A more lively castle that is. Less hidden rooms, but more puzzles works fine. Also, after beating the game you can play a boss rush mode or even play the game as Maxim. A bit better than Circle of the Moon when you just replayed the game with a code changing stats and how you played the game like a magician, shooter or thief. Sadly the only time you played as a Belmont as the main character in the portable Castlevania games for GBA or DS.